Just about a month ago, I took a look at the calendar and realized that I was just over four months out from Ironman Arizona. I've been doing a solid amount of training and racing since mid-January, but now is the time to really dig in and start prepping specifically for my biggest race of the season.
From my experience last year, I don't think it is possible to successfully train for an Ironman for a full year--you lose focus and motivation. Not to say that you shouldn't be training, but more that you should train and race and have some fun and then firmly dig in once the Ironman is on a more immediate horizon.
Anyway, had hit a bit of a plateau in my performance and really wanted to give this race my all, so I spoke to a few friends and decided to put myself under a formal coaching program. After chatting with my teammate Jason--who, as an aside, just qualified for the Ironman World Championships--I decided to see if his coach Alex McDonald would take me on. Alex raced as a top-notch age grouper (winning Ironman Lake Placid for age group men back a few years ago) and he is now racing as a pro.
Alex and I spoke a number of times and it really seemed like his attitude and approach to training and racing was perfect for me. He's all about consistency, working hard (but smart) and really not overdoing intensity. Why train at 5km pace / crit pace / do 800 repeats, if you're going to be out on a course for 9, 10, 11, etc. hours?!
Anyway, after a month of working with Alex, I'm already seeing huge improvements. I feel healthier and more rested despite maintaining a high volume. I hurt less, feel fresher during my workouts and am no longer stressing out about organizing a training plan. It's interesting, working with a coach, I feel less brutalized and more rested yet I am getting faster. Who would have thought!
Anyway, looking forward to a solid four more months of training and seeing how this season will work out! More to come.
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